Whitt Scores Seat in Pastrana-Waltrip No. 99

Red Bull Racing Team and Pastrana-Waltrip Racing have joined forces to put Cole Whitt in PWR’s No. 99 Toyota for the May 28 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The 19-year-old Whitt will make his third Nationwide start in the Top Gear 300, having competed in two events late last season.

“This is an awesome surprise. I had no idea this would happen,” Whitt said. “I’ve been having a blast learning the tracks in the truck, but this is great. It’s my dream to get to the Cup Series, and now I’m a little closer.

"I can’t thank Red Bull enough for helping me make these steps. They’ve been with me since I was 14 racing sprint cars, and now I’m getting another chance to show what I have in a Nationwide car."

“I can’t thank Red Bull enough for helping me make these steps. They’ve been with me since I was 14 racing sprint cars, and now I’m getting another chance to show what I have in a Nationwide car. I’m looking forward to driving the Pastrana-Waltrip Racing car. They’ve had a lot of success so far, and I hope to add to it.”

Whitt finished 15th in his Nationwide debut last November at Phoenix and followed up with a 17th-place showing a week later at Homestead. He currently ranks third in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points standings with four top 10s in six races. He finished a career-best second May 13 at Dover.

Ty Norris, PWR vice president and general manager, said Ryan Truex will drive the No. 99 at Iowa Speedway on Sunday and at Chicagoland Speedway on June 4.

“This is a case of two teams helping each other out,” Norris said. “Red Bull wants to see their young phenom compete against NASCAR’s best, and PWR has top-notch equipment and crew but needed the sponsorship. This is a true win-win-win scenario for Red Bull, PWR and Cole Whitt. We’re thrilled to be able to help.”

Michael Waltrip, David Reutimann and Truex have raced the No. 99 in 2011.

Action sports star Travis Pastrana will race seven times this season with Boost Mobile sponsorship beginning at Lucas Oil Raceway on July 30. Patrick Carpentier will race for PWR on Aug. 20 in Montreal with NAPA AUTO PARTS sponsorship.

Michael Waltrip Racing, Gary and Blake Bechtel and Travis Pastrana own Pastrana-Waltrip Racing that fields Toyota Camrys out of the MWR shop in Cornelius, N.C.